Obi-Wan nodded. They ran toward the three-winged shuttle. Anakin activated the hatch and swung himself up into the cockpit. Obi-Wan followed.
Quickly, Anakin familiarized himself with the controls. There wasn't a ship made that he couldn't fly. He contacted the crew who operated the bay doors and quickly instructed them that they had Captain Anf Dec's permission to leave. After a moment, the doors opened slightly, and Anakin activated the two lower wings, which lifted into flight mode. They blasted off into space.
"There," Obi-Wan said after only a few seconds. "If you can keep near his exhaust, I think our ship is small enough to escape detection. Not to mention that Krayn has other things on his mind." The Colicoid had kept his promise to create a diversion, flying erratically and letting off enough fire to keep Krayn occupied.
"And what should I do then?" Anakin asked.
"I'm open to suggestions," Obi-Wan answered.
But Anakin's mind was already working as soon as Obi-Wan said "exhaust." If they could hug the rear of the pirate ship, they might be able to slip into the exhaust system. The steam would overheat the craft, but if Anakin could push the ship fast enough, they might be able to make it into the interior.
Quickly, he described his plan to Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan nodded. "It's possible. But the exhaust tunnels narrow as they travel inside the ship. We could be trapped."
"That's why this shuttle will come in handy," Anakin said. "I can retract the wings by degrees and use the third wing to fly."
Obi-Wan frowned. "That will give you less control."
Anakin nodded. "I know."
"And the heat will be intense in that shaft. The ship could overheat."
"Not if I speed." Anakin knew what Obi-Wan was thinking. He would have to pilot the ship fast enough to escape overheating, yet not so fast that he'd lose his maneuverability. "I think I can manage it."
"You think?"
"I know."
"Fine. Let's do it."
Krayn's ship had not spotted them, and Anakin was able to precisely mirror the pirate ship's quick attack maneuvers. By hugging Krayn's stern, he was able to escape detection. He anticipated which way the ship would move as it attacked again and again at the vulnerable parts of the Colicoid ship. He followed the ship like a shadow, all the time easing closer to the great exhaust valve at the stern.
The exhaust valve contained a huge whirring propeller. Anakin hung in the air, his fingers on the controls, timing the propeller's turn. Obi-Wan remained silent, allowing Anakin to gather his concentration. The tiniest miscalculation could send them into the twirling blades.
Anakin knew the seconds were ticking away, and he appreciated Obi- Wan's silence. He waited until the Force gathered and united with his instincts and perceptions. He fixed his gaze on the spinning blades. They seemed to slow with the level of his concentration. As soon as he felt sure that he had fully absorbed the rhythm, he pushed the engines and felt the craft zoom toward the exhaust port. He flipped the shuttle sideways to slip through the blades.
The small craft shuddered from the wind created by the powerful blades, but it zoomed through an opening with only centimeters to spare.
Anakin kept his hands tight on the controls. Suddenly there was a blast of energy from the powerful exhaust. He was being pushed back into the blades again!
"Hold on!" he shouted.
He pushed the throttle forward, giving it all he had. A simple touch of the blade would send the ship spiraling out of control.
The engines kicked in. Anakin had to struggle to keep the ship steady.
They were speeding now too fast. Within seconds, he saw that Obi-Wan had been correct. The shaft was narrowing. Soon there were only a few meters between the wings and the sides of the tunnel. Anakin quickly activated the wing controls so that the two side wings folded up toward the body of the ship. He felt the controls jump in his hands, but he held the ship firmly, slowing it down.
"I see light ahead," Obi-Wan murmured. Although Anakin knew there would be no censure in his Master's voice, he knew he'd cut it too close this time. Obi-Wan continued, "I'm betting we'll come out near the turbine in the power core. I hope there's room to land."
So did Anakin. The ship was now bumping with the fierce air currents, and he bent his will toward gentling it like a skittish bantha. Between the wing
In order to help you, I must get off this ship."
Condi swallowed. "Then we will help you."
"No." Obi-Wan shook his head firmly. "That I will not allow. It will put you in danger. The best thing we can do for each other is part ways here."
Condi's face was full of anguish, but he nodded with dignity. "We have never seen you, Jedi."
"Thank you." Obi-Wan caught a flicker of movement at the end of the corridor. Anakin!
He raced through the slaves and toward his Padawan. Anakin saw him and stopped. He knew better than to run.
Obi-Wan came up. "Anakin, I have no time to argue with you. We must go."
"There are patrols everywhere," Anakin told him. "I can't find Krayn."